6.21.21 Forty-four competitors. Eight coaches. Six tournament directors. A brand new venue. Ten teams, four of whom had never broken the scholastic championship scene. This was the scene of the first significant scholastic competition held in-person, over-the-board, since March 2020, and was a welcome break from the online chess that featured for most of the pandemic.

Thanks to Mike Dudley for contributing to this report.

US Chess Crosstable of this event

The venue for the event was the United Technologies Center in Bangor, a beautiful new venue for the event. The Maine Chess Association thanks Stephen Wong for his work in securing this amazing venue for the event!

This year, the four-round teams event drew ten teams, four of which had never made an appearance at the championship, and three of which came with less than five players. Teams from Orono High School, Hampden Academy, John Bapst, Belfast Area High School, Brunswick High School, Bonny Eagle High School, Messalonskee High School, Cheverus High School, Cape Elizabeth High School, and Bangor High School all sent teams to represent their schools.

Orono High School, successfully defended their state championship title with a perfect 4.0 points in four matches. Player/coach Tommy Owen (3.5/4), Tristan Cousineau (4.0/4), Evan Smith (3.5/4), Liam Farrell (4.0/4), and Tommaso Wheeler (2.0/4) all turned in quality performances on their way to their second state title in as many years.

Cape Elizabeth High School came in second with 3.0 points in four matches. Led by player/coach Marco Hansel (3.0/4), the team of Isaac Dinnerstein (1.0/4), Tyler Rodenberger (3.0/4), Zoe Dinnerstein (3.0/4), and Clara Parker (4.0/4) played to a clear second place finish.

Right behind Cape, in third place, are the Bonny Eagle Scots, with performances from Maximilian Matthews (2.0/4), Jace Anastacio (2.0/4), Zachary Brislin (3.5/4), Declan Thomas (2.0/4), and Kevin Lin (4.0/4).

This tournament represents the first scholastic chess play since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Congratulations to all competitors on a great tournament, and thanks to United Technologies Center for their hospitality in hosting the tournament! Further, thanks to Hartt Transportation for their generous sponsorship of the awards in this tournament!